Adjustable bass bar for musical instruments



Feb. 7, 1939. G. FRAZIER 2,145,978

ADJUSTABLE BASS BAR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 9, 1938 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE BASS BAR FOR MUSICAL INSTRUDIENTS 1 Claim.

This invention relates to stringed musical instruments, particularly violins and the like, and its general object is to provide a bass bar for such instruments that is suspended lengthwise within the sound body thereof, in spaced relation with respect to its top plate or belly, so as to allow free vibration, thus making it possible to bring about maximum volume and clear tone qualities, as distinguished from the conventional construction, wherein the bass bar is fixed to and in contact with the top plate throughout its length, which tends to dull the tone and volume of the instrument.

A further object is to provide a suspended bass bar that is adjustable to vary the tension of the top plate, so as to obtain the desired volume and tonal results.

Another object is to provide an adjustable bass bar, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install in instruments now in general use, and is extremely efficient in use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a violin showing my bass bar installed therein.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that I have illustrated my bass bar as being applied to a violin, but I want it understood that it can be applied to any type of stringed instrument which necessitates the use of a bass bar.

The instrument shown includes a top plate or belly A that is secured to the rest of the sound body in the usual manner, and secured to the undersurface of the top plate by adhesive material is an anchor block I disposed adjacent to the front end of the body, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The anchor block includes a rearwardly directed projection providing a shoulder or seat for one end of the bass bar 2 as clearly shown in Figure 1.

The bass bar may be substantially wedge shape 55 in cross section for the major portion of its length as shown in Figure 2, and is reduced from its central portion to its outer ends in tapered formation, in a manner to provide a flat forward end resting upon and frictionally fitting between the shoulder of the anchor block and the top plate, while the rear end is provided with an opening or bore through which extends a screw bolt 3 that likewise extends through the top plate in depending relation. The screw bolt is preferably threaded in the bore which may be reinforced by a threaded sleeve to receive the bolt, the latter having a nut thereon for engagement with the undersurface of the bass. bar. The head of the bolt is kerfed as shown, for the application of a screw driver or like tool thereto.

Secured to and depending from the top plate preferably slightly rearwardly of the point of connection of the bridge therewith, is a fulcrum block 4, recessed to provide a seat for the bass bar, which is mounted therein, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

From the above description and disclosure of the drawing, it will be obvious that the bass bar extends longitudinally within the sound body and laterally of the longitudinal center thereof, as well as in suspended spaced relation with respect to the top plate, so that it will not interfere with the vibration of the latter, thereby allowing production of maximum volume and clear tone qualities, and the tension of the top plate can be varied through the instrumentality of the bolt and nut connection, to bring about the desired volume and tonal qualities.

While the only part of the device which is disposed exteriorly of the sound body, to be seen is the kerfed head of the screw bolt, the head may be covered with a chin rest after the adjustment has been made.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

In a stringed musical instrument, including a sound body and the topplate thereof, a bass bar mounted within the body and reduced in tapered formation from its center toward its ends to provide a flat forward end therefor, an anchor block secured to the top plate adjacent the forward end thereof, a rearwardly directed projection formed on the anchor block to provide a shoulder receiving the flat end of the bass bar to rest thereon for frictional engagement with and between the projection and the top plate, a fulcrum block depending from the top plate and having a recess in the lower end thereof with the bass bar mount,- ed in the recess for disposal in spaced relation with respect to the top plate from its point of connection with the anchor block, screw means extending through the top plate and the rear end of the bass bar for connecting said rear end to the top plate and to adjust the bass bar about the fulcrum block to vary the tension of the top plate, and said screw means having a kerfed head seated on the upper surface of the top plate to facilitate said adjustment.

GEORGE FRAZIER. 

